Portable illuminated sign



Aug. 3, 1937. J. R. TABOR PORTABLE ILLUMINATED SIGN Filed Jan. 51, 1955 ./osfPH A?. 7450/? PE@ Z l Armen/Ey Patented Aug. 3, 1937 UNiTED STATES PATENT QFFICE PORTABLE ILLUMINATED SIGN Joseph R. Tabor, Chicago, Ill. Application January 31, 1935, Serial No. 4,357

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a novel and useful illuminated display sign and has for one of its principal objects the provision of means whereby a light, durable and elcient display sign suit- 5 able for varied uses may be constructed economically and quickly.

An important object of the device of this invention resides in the provision of a box-like sign in a frame whereby the same may be readily disassembled and made into a flat package for shipment or storage.

A further important object of the display sign of this invention resides in the fact that the entire housing may be assembled or disassembled without the use of clips, staples, glue or the like or without the use of special tools or skill.

Another and still further important object of this invention resides in the fact that the frame is constructed from a single piece of metal, and

o the housing from a single piece of cardboard.

Still another and further important object of the invention resides in the fact that the sign is so constructed as to allow of the use of some light material such as metal or the like, thereby pro- 5 viding a sign which is readily portable, yet rigid,

sturdy and efficient.

Other and further important objects of the invenion will be apparent from the disclosures in the accompanying drawing and following specilif cation.

The invention, in a preferred form, is illustrated in the drawing and hereinafter more fully described. Y

Figure 1 is a perspective View of the illuminated display sign showing it in its preferred form.

Figure 2 is a plan View of the sign in knockdown condition, showing the same as viewed from the rear.

i140 Figure 3 is a front planv view oi the sign when knocked down.

Figure 4 is a larger plan view of the cardboard blank from which the housing is formed.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 3, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 6 is a sectional View on the line 6-6 of Figure 2, looking in the direction indicated.

As shown in the drawing:-

The reference numeral I0 indicates generally the frame of the improved sign of this invention, the same being preferably composed of metal in channelled shape and formed into rectangular or other desired figure as indicated or desired.

Adapted to cooperate with the frame I Il is a the lower housing formed of cardboard and which is composed of a back member I2, side elements I4, a top piece I6, bottom piece I8, a bottom securing member 20, and a sort of shelf or platform 22. 'I'hese Various components comprise an integral 5 whole, the parts of which are outlined and separated by scored lines or the like 24 whereby suitable bending is rendered apparent and easy.

The top member I6 is provided with integral extensions or tabs 26 which t into the channelled 10 frame I0 as indicated by the dotted lines in Figures 2 and 3. Such tting retains the top of the housing in desired position when the device is assembled or set up.

The side elements I4 are provided with integral 15 iiaps or extensions 28 separated from the main wing elements by scored lines as shown, and these extensions are adapted to be tted into the side members of the channelled frame Ill below the tabs 26 when the device is in assembled position. There is a contacting and intertting relationship between the upper ends 30 of the extensions 28 and the lower edges of the extensions 2li when the housing is assembled with respect to the`1 frame, and it will be noted that the projections '25 30 at the upper ends of the elements 28 are shaped so as to produce an interlocking relationship with I corresponding projections and notches on the lower edges of the extensions 25. Accordinglym when the device is assembled, there is no possibility of the side members I4 becoming accidentally dislodged from position in the frame.

The integral extension or ap 20 on the bottom element I8 is provided with laterally extending tabs 32 which, when the device is assembled, are: "35 fitted into position under the lower edge of the lines inY Figure 1.

At the lower-end of the frame and on the inner face thereof is an integral inwardly turned lip "40 34 (Figures 2 and 6) which, when the housing is set up, contacts the middle of the lower edge of the extension 2U preventing it with its extension 32 from sliding out of the channelled frame. The ends 32 of the extension 20 are placed in 45 ends of the side channels, and the part 20 rests on the lip 34. When the latter is withdrawn from the frame, it is lifted over the lip 34, and the ends 32 are pulled out of the channels.

The scored line 24 between the bottom element I8 and the shelf element 22 is such that when the device is set up, the shelf 22 will lie approximately in a horizontal plane, and this has an opening 36 therein for lthe seating of a lamp 55 for transportation or storage socketI or the like 38 which, in turn, supports a lighting globe 4U. Openings 42 are provided in the shelf for ventilation purposes. Reinforcing plates 43 are fitted to the lower` corners of the side extensions I4.

It will accordingly be seen that when the housing is set up and the tabs 26, 28, and 32 inserted into the channelled frame, the locking action of the in-turned lip 34 will retain the housing in desired position with respect to` the frame, thereby producing the device illustratedin Figure l, the same including a transparent sign element or the like 44 which is composed of some suitable material such as paper, glass or the like, and which has imprinted or impressed thereon any desirable insignia, as, for example, .a picture or` a sequence of words or a combination thereof, the same being, of course, illuminated from behind by means of the light globe 4G. Some means may be provided for flashing the light intermittently so as to render the sign more attractive, if desired.

Whenever it is desired to disassemble the sign purposes, the element 20 with its extensions 32 is iirst released from the channel by lifting the same over the inwardly turned lip 34 which is at the open lower end of the frame. Pulling out of this element releases the bottom and at thesame time allows of a withdrawal of the side elements I4 and their extensions 2B from the side lchannels of the frame. These elements are then folded into position over the back of the housing as best shown in Figure 3, after which the bottom I8 of the housing with its extension 20 is folded upwardlyand rearwardly into the position shown in Figure 2. When folded, the top-I6 is placed in the plane of the channeled frame, and the flange 26 remains in the channeled frame (Figs. 2 and 6). This reduces the entire housing to an assemblage of elements contained in a single plane whereupon the same can be conveniently packed for shipping or storage.

One vof the novel features` of this invention resides in the ease with which the transparent sign may be removed for purposes of change or the like. The same is simply pulled out of the channelled frame from the bottom in an obvious manner.

It will be obvious from the forego-ing that herein is provided a display sign which, while being of sturdy and rugged construction, is also both light and economical. Moreover, because of the light construction of the device of this invention, its use will be universal and not confined to places where a oor or staging are available as is required by the present type of display signs.

Furthermore, on account of the fact that it is so easily dismantled and requires but limited storage space, its use will not be confined to places requiring a permanent display sign, but it may be used also in places where its use is desirable only at intermittent periods.

It will be evident that this novel and useful device is so constructed that the sign displayed may be readily changed at intervals as desired, and the device may be used to display a series of pictures in such a manner as to give a comprehensive idea of the subject to be advertised. This series of pictures can be installed in the case, one at a time, having intervals of time intervening, and thus more clearly emphasize the subject matter. The display may also be so arranged so as to show several of these cases grouped together, telling the complete story at one time, and having a flasher arrangement so that only one of the cases will be lit at a particular moment, and thus have the story progress through the series to be shown.

The combination of a metallic frame with a cardboard housing and reflector provides a novel and useful element, the metallic member being made sufficiently light but strong, and the cardboard being of a material which will adequately withstand the most severe usage.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction varied throughout a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I, therefore, do not purpose limiting the patent granted here- `on otherwise than as necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. A collapsible sign, including a rectangular frame, said frame being composed of channeled iron on three sides, and a unitary cardboard housing foldably connected with the rear of the frame, said housing comprising a back member, a top member, side members, a shelf member, and a bottom member foldably connected on score lines, the top and the side members having flanges insertable in the channel of the frame, the shelf member being foldably connected with the back member, and provided with means for mounting a lamp, the bottom member having a flange with extended ends insertable in the side members of the channeled frame.

V2. A collapsible sign, including a three-sided channeled frame and a unitary housing foldably connected tothe frame, said housing comprising a back member, a top member, side members, a shelf member, and a bottom member, all foldably connected on scored lines, flanges integral with the top and side members, the side member flanges being connected thereto by scored lines, and the top member flange connected along one line by a score line, and downwardly extending ears at the ends, said ears separated from the adjacent portions of the top member by cuts, complementary means on both the side member, flanges and the top member, and flanges for intertting relationship when said flanges are inserted in the channel of the frame.

JOSEPH R. TABOR. 

